Throughout a latest dialog with Jon Heyman of the New York Publish (h/t SNY), All-Star outfielder Juan Soto admitted he’s “nonetheless figuring it out” and “adjusting to the brand new staff” after Soto signed a 15-year, $765M contract that may exceed $800M whole to affix the New York Mets this previous offseason.
For a narrative printed on Friday, Mets reporter Will Sammon of The Athletic touched upon how Soto suits in along with his present teammates behind the scenes.
“His teammates suppose he loves it right here,” Sammon mentioned about Soto. “He has ‘his guys’ within the bullpen. He has enjoyable with that. …(Mets reduction pitcher) Ryne Stanek lockers subsequent to Soto. I belief Stanek’s skill to learn folks he spends time with. Stanek tells me Soto is a terrific teammate and loves chatting with him. I haven’t seen or heard something in any other case.”
Soto’s suggestion in April that he missed sharing a lineup with New York Yankees captain Aaron Choose raised eyebrows, as did the truth that the “Soto Shuffle” hasn’t but grow to be a Mets gameday custom. Soto told Heyman he would not remorse leaving the Yankees for the Mets and is “pleased” along with his free-agency determination.
As for why Soto has generally appeared pissed off in a Mets uniform this spring, Sammon talked about that the 26-year-old “likes acting at an elite-elite stage” and “hasn’t executed that but” with the Amazins. Heading into the three-game collection on the Yankees that will get underway on Friday night time, Soto was slashing .255/.380/.465 with an .845 OPS, eight residence runs and 20 RBI on the season.
Sammon identified that Soto is on considerably of an island as a result of no MLB participant has ever earlier than “performed within the backdrop of a $765M deal.” Regardless of having a model of Soto who allegedly has been pressing on the plate all through the season’s opening two months, the first-place Mets ended Thursday’s MLB motion at 28-16.
Maybe the membership’s document will take some strain off Soto’s shoulders as he prepares to listen to boos and different jeers throughout at-bats within the Bronx this weekend.
